Inspector General Warns Public about Phone Calls from OIG “Imposters”
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
The Acting Inspector General of Social Security, Gale Stallworth Stone, is warning citizens about a nationwide telephone “imposter phishing” scheme. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have received several reports from citizens across the country about persons receiving phone calls from individuals posing as OIG investigators. The caller indicates an issue exists pertaining to the person’s Social Security account or Social Security number (SSN) and directs the person call a non-SSA telephone number to address the issue.
The reports indicate the calls include a recording from a caller stating she is “Nancy Jones,” an “officer with the Inspector General of Social Security.” The recording goes on to say the person’s Social Security account, SSN, and/or benefits are suspended, and that he or she should call 806-680-2373 to resolve the issue. Citizens should be aware that the scheme’s details may vary; however, citizens should avoid calling the number provided, as the unknown caller might attempt to acquire personal information.
OIG investigators occasionally contact citizens by telephone for investigative purposes, but they will not request sensitive personal information from a citizen over the phone. If a person receives a similar suspicious call from someone alleging to be from the OIG, citizens may report that information to the OIG at 1-800-269-0271 or online via https://oig.ssa.gov/report.
Acting Inspector General Stone said, “This phishing scheme is targeting unsuspecting persons for the purpose of Social Security benefit theft or identity theft.” She warns citizens to be cautious, and to avoid providing personal information such as your SSN or bank account numbers to unknown persons over the phone or internet unless you are certain of who is receiving it. “You must be very confident that the source is the correct business party, and that your information will be secure after you release it,” Stone said.
If a person has questions about any communication—email, letter, text or phone call—that claims to be from SSA or the OIG, please contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to verify its legitimacy. (Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call Social Security’s TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.)
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Tags: Office of the Inspector General, OIG, SSN
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Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
Andrew Cannarsa, OIG Communications Director
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Kathy H.
received a scam rob call from 1-212-537-5067 claiming they were from the social security office and my account was being froze because of fraudulent activity and I should call back asap to prevent legal action. I hung up and did not call any numbers. Just wanted to report this for investigation so people actually receiving their social security do not get scammed.
L.A.
Hi Kathy. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Ben
I keep getting phone calls from (855) 832-6733 saying they are you! They want SS information….
L.A.
Hi Ben. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Timothy B.
I receive a call on my cell phone stating it was a recording about my social security and an arrest warrant was issue for my arrest I immediately hung up the phone number is (202) 052-5203.
L.A.
Hi Timothy. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Sherrill C.
I am getting calls from Supposedly Social Security that my check is being stopped and there is a warrant out for my arrest. I have the phone numbers and some texts from all of this. It started out once a month and now about two a day. What can be done?
L.A.
Hi Sherrill. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Debbie R.
We have received multiple calls to our landline, threatening that “Social Security” will be suspending our SS numbers if we do not contact them immediately at: 979-229-2321 or 903-200-4691 (from Texas) Assume we can just ignore them and have our carrier block the calls?
L.A.
Hi Debbie. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Kay M.
This caller actually left a voicemail message for me. Can that help you take any steps to investigate further? Of course I knew it is a scam.
L.A.
Hi Kay. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Ms. M.
Friday, October 4, 2019, two calls were made to my cell phone #. Both calls were the same computer generated female voice. It states, “someone is using my Social Security # to commit criminal acts in the state of Texas.” First call, 9:34 AM, second call, 12:57 PM. Same recorded voice for both calls. Scam phone #’s are, (818) 371-1528 and (818) 371-8851.
A.C.
Hi, Ms. McDonald. Thanks for checking in with us. We do not usually make random calls. If anyone receives calls saying they are from Social Security, do not give out any personal information. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Heather D.
I just received this call and they left the exact message as above. The number they called from was 800-602-2840.
A.C.
Hi, Heather. Thanks for letting us know. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Richard H.
I just received a call using a clearly robotic voice saying that I had been investigated and a warrant has been sworn out for my arrest. I hung up before listening further.
The call came from 855-805-2802
A.C.
Thanks for letting us know, Richard. Suspicious calls should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General online. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a site specific to Social Security scams, here. We hope this helps.
Sandra M.
I received a call from 202-657-4613 saying “Hello, this call is an official final notice from Social Security Administration. The reason for this call is to inform you that our department has decided to suspend you Social Security number and file a lawsuit against you as we have received suspicious activity. To get more information please call on our department number 202-657-4613”.
I did not try to call back but noticed they asked me to call back to the same number I received the call from which surprised me.